Talent, humor, hilarity characterize 'Nunsense'

The nuns mingled with the audience and kept the show interactive.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
If delightful irreverence and laugh-till-your-eyes-water hysterical is your thing, then "Nunsense" is the play for you. It is playing at The Youngstown Playhouse.
It takes place at Mt. Saint Helen's School, where five of the remaining Little Sisters of Hoboken, who escaped accidental poisoning by botulism-tainted vichyssoise soup prepared by Sister Julia-Child of God, are putting on a variety show. They buried 48 of the 52 dead sisters, but Mother Superior wasted the rest of the money on a plasma TV, so they have four dead sisters in the deep freeze. They are putting on the show to raise funds to bury them.
Even though the script is very funny, this extremely fast-moving, slapstick comedy can either fly or flop, depending on directorship. Director David Jendre proved himself a master, creating scenes with perfect timing, added touches and little gestures that milked this one for all it was worth. The music, under director Jodine Pilmer, and choreography were excellent, as were the lighting, sound and other technical aspects. The extraordinarily talented cast did the rest.
Unique personalities
These gals had the audience laughing before they even went onstage, mingling with the crowd before the play began and keeping it interactive throughout the show. Each sister had a unique personality and at least one solo scene that allowed her to shine.
Terri A. Wilkes, as Sister Mary Regina, the Rev. Mother, tries unsuccessfully to keep the other sisters in line. She really wanted to be a tightrope walker, but when her parents, the "Two Tons," fell into the Thames when the tightrope broke, she prayed to God if he saved them, she would become a nun. (She didn't really think he'd come through.) Her scene, when she accidentally gets hold of a bottle of Rush and sniffs it, is absolutely rolling-on-the-floor hysterical.
Sister Robert Anne (Colleen Crish), with her great Brooklyn accent, was the real ham of the show. She brought laughs just by her presence (and mischief). Craving the limelight, she finally gets her wish in "I Just Want to be a Star," pulling a red scarf out of her pocket, as the stage lights up like a Broadway marquee.
Sister Mary Amnesia got hit on the head with a crucifix and can't remember a thing. Out of that sweet and innocent mouth unknowingly comes some of the bawdiest humor of the show, especially her description of a certain large clock. Allyson Pollice, who is a sophomore at Boardman High School, was simply dazzling in this role.
Sister Mary Leo, the na & iuml;ve novice, wants to dedicate her life to God through ballet. She lets Sister Robert Anne get her in trouble and infuriates the Rev. Mother when she does "Soups On [The Dying Nun Ballet]." Brandy Johanntges is certainly no novice, and she confidently plays this role to the hilt.
Sister Mary Hubert (Monica Beasley-Martin) kept herself subdued -- after all, she is No. 2 to the Rev. Mother and knows her place (although she finds little ways to get under the Rev. Mother's skin.) But she really lets it rip in the gospellike finale, "Holier Than Thou," which brought the house down with cheers, whistles and a standing ovation.
X"Nunsense" continues at The Playhouse weekends through Nov. 6. Fridays/Saturdays, 8 p.m.; and Sunday matinees, 2:30 p.m. (330) 788-8739.